Three fun ways to improve your teen’s SAT score during the summer

Summer’s here and your teenager is probably more concerned with spending time with friends or mastering a new Xbox game rather than studying for the SAT. However, summer is the perfect time to get a jump on SAT test preparation without the additional academic course load during the school year.

Here are three creative ways to incorporate SAT prep with your kid’s summer plans:

1. Read a great book! The verbal section of SAT is all about vocabulary. But many teens hate to study long, boring vocabulary lists. Instead, grab a classic. Some of my favorite books happen to contain a plethora of SAT words. Try “War of the Worlds,” by H.G. Wells, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, or “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Perfect reads for a summer’s day on the beach or a summer’s night at a campfire.

2. Volunteer to teach English as a Second Language! This tip not only helps you give back to your community, but also improves your grammar skills. When you teach English to a non-native speaker, you are forced to break down grammar rules. This knowledge of English grammar will help you improve on the writing section of the SAT. You can find opportunities at your local church or community center. Added bonus – also looks good on your college applications.

3. Learn a new instrument! Mathematics and music are interconnected. By tackling a new instrument, your teenager will learn timing, logic, rhythm and meter. Learning elementary musical theory will help utilize and reinforce all of the concepts above. All of these skills will aid in increasing your student’s understanding of math.

Alana Albertson is the founder of Academe Advantage (www.AcademeAdvantage.com) and has a masters degree in Education from Harvard University and a bachelors degree in English from Stanford University. Alana provides rare insight as both a successful two-time Ivy League applicant and as a former admissions officer with more than 16 years experience in test preparation and college and graduate school admissions. She has prepared thousands of students for the SAT test. She is also the president of Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult Writers chapter.